Approval rates
The approval rate for Patrick H. Morrison is based on 1,248 decisions rendered between 2016 and 2019. This figure can be compared against the broader bench at the Springfield MO office, where judges have recorded approval rates ranging from 25% to 60% since 2016. These statistics provide a view of historical decision-making patterns within the office.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Morrison. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Morrison's docket. Annual rates fluctuate with the mix of cases SSA assigns; the longer-run pattern is more informative than any single year.
Decision pattern
The approval rate for Patrick H. Morrison showed a steady trend during the period of 2016 to 2019. Starting at 35% in 2016, the rate moved to 33% in 2017, 32% in 2018, and 31% in 2019. This pattern reflects a stable approach to case evaluation over the years on record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Morrison's bench. Judge-specific preparation guidance requires a corpus of public Appeals Council decisions involving each judge, which we haven't built yet.
- Bring a clean treating-physician record. Longitudinal primary-care or specialist notes spanning the disability period, with consistent symptom documentation, are typically the strongest evidence at hearing. A single month's records usually aren't enough.
- Don't rely on consultative exams alone. If your medical evidence is built primarily around a one-time CE finding, expect detailed questioning. Supplement with treating-source statements where possible.
- Prepare for daily-activity questions. Have honest, specific answers about a typical day. Answers that conflict with the medical record (in either direction) tend to hurt credibility.
- Expect transferable-skills probing. A vocational expert will usually testify about jobs available to someone with your limitations. Your representative should be prepared to cross-examine.
About the Springfield MO hearing office
Patrick H. Morrison's most recent office on record is the Springfield MO office, with decisions there through September 2019. This office serves claimants in the Missouri region and maintains a bench of 10 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can see the Springfield MO Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Springfield MO
The Social Security Administration utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the Springfield MO office, with approval rates varying from 25% to 60% since 2016. While these rates differ, the requirements for proving disability remain consistent across the bench.
Approval rates change with a lawyer
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.
Frequently asked questions
Patrick H. Morrison has an approval rate of 33% on record since 2016. This sits within the 25% to 60% range observed among the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the Springfield MO office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
The approval rate for Patrick H. Morrison remained steady during his time on record, moving from 35% in 2016 to 31% in 2019. This consistency suggests a stable approach to evaluating disability claims. An attorney can help you understand how these patterns might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot influence this assignment, it is important to be prepared for any judge by working with an experienced attorney.
An approval rate is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a guarantee of a future outcome. While Patrick H. Morrison approved 33% of cases on record since 2016, your individual success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.
